Baseball has a long history in Canada and is one of our countries favourite sports, right up there with hockey. Stemming from the British game of rounders — and then, cricket — the game of baseball became popular in the early 19th century in Southwestern Ontario, New York and New England. By 1913, there were 24 minor league baseball teams in Canada and since then, this number has sky rocketed.
But before these heavy hitters make it in the big leagues, most start off in little league. Little League Baseball has been played in Canada since 1951, with approximately 500 leagues now operating in Canada. And just as this sport has grown all across our country, it has also done so right here in Chestermere.
In 2009, Chestermere formed a few teams and joined the Rocky View Baseball League with one mosquito and three rookie teams. That first season, the players in Mosquito came out swinging and ended the regular season with a 12-2 record and shared the championship with a team from Strathmore.
In 2011, Chestermere Rocky View Little League (CRVLL) was chartered and accepted into Alberta Little League District No. 3 and since then the Crushers have been a group recon with. In 2013 Junior AA Crushers won the District 3 championship beating Cochrane 12-0 in the final. In 2014 CRVLL fielded their first all-star team in the Majors AA division. In 2015 CRVLL fielded All-Star teams in Minors, Majors and Junior AA divisions. As well as Starting our Minors house league with 5 Teams from Chestermere and 1 from Langdon.
At the end of the 2015 baseball season Chestermere Rocky View Little League formed its own association to operate the program separate from the CRCA.
Accepting players ages 4 to 18, the Chestermere Rocky View Little League provides a healthy environment for the youth of our communities. “Our focus is to encourage participation, develop character and discipline, promote teamwork, and advocate citizenship and community pride. We will strive to provide quality instruction in the development of baseball skills, sportsmanship, competitiveness and fair play. Chestermere Rocky View Little League is committed to enriching the lives of our youth and fostering a love of the game’, says Misty Molnar with the Chestermere Crushers.
The Chestermere Rocky View Little League has obviously filled a need in our community as their participation numbers are very impressive. In 2009 the group had around 50 participants but by 2015 they had grown to over 240 and they’re hoping to get even more involved this year.
Online registrations started Jan 2016 till Feb 29th but you can still register by either:
• chestermerelittleleague.pointstreaksites.com/view/chestermerelittleleague
• Registration questions email registrar@crushersbaseball.ca
All divisions are based on Little League age:
(4-6) T-Ball $100.00 Shirt and Hat to keep
(7-8) Coach Pitch $100.00 Shirt and hat to keep
(9-10) Minors $150.00 includes Hat, Jersey to be returned at the end of the season
(11-12) Majors $175.00 includes Hat, Jersey to be returned at the end of the season
(13-14) Junior’s $200.00 includes Hat, Jersey to be returned at the end of the season
(15-18) Senior/Big League if there are enough registrants to form a team $TBD
T-Ball & Coach Pitch 2+ hours per week while the Minors – Seniors/Big League 7+ hours per week.
(CRVLL and The Zone Slo-pitch Store will be hosting a registrant equipment sale where baseball equipment can be purchased along with while baseball pants which are new for the 2016 baseball season. For Minor age and older, white baseball pants will be required.)
“Challenger Little League provides physically and developmentally challenged children, teens and adults the opportunity to play baseball. All the leagues within District 3 are asked to play with Challenger players on a Saturday throughout the season. Challenger Little League requires Chestermere Rocky View Little League players (buddies) to play catch and when the games get going, help Challenger players bat, catch, run etc. The Chestermere Rocky View Little League players (buddies) are placed with the children that need the most help”, adds the CRVLL.
Get your players registered today and let’s play ball!!
